Warp sleying machine



Jan. 15, 1963 r w w, COOK A I 3,072,999

WARP SLEYING MACHINE Filed June 7, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I Illllllllllll MA! Jan. 15, 1963 w. w. COOK ETAL WARP SLEYING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June '7, 1961 Jan. 15, 1963 w. w. cooK ETAL 3,072,999

WARP SLEYING MACHINE Filed June 7, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ilma llllllllllllh Jan. 15, 1963 w. w. cooK ETAL WARP SLEYING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 7, 1961 W. W. COOK ETAL WARP SLEYING MACHINE Jan. 15, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 7, 1961 United States Patent Ofiiice 3,972,999 Patented Jan. 15, 1963 3,072,999 WARP SLEYING MACHINE William W. Cook, 16 Tyersal Crescent, Tyersal, Bradford 4, England; Robert Gibson, 16 Netherclifite Road, Guiseley, England; Geofirey Roberts, 4 Kellett Lane, Leeds 12, England; and Michael W. Scott, Rose Cottage, St. Helens Lane, Adel, Leeds 16, England Filed June 7, 1961, Ser. No. 115,512 4 Claims. (Cl. 28-45) This invention relates to warp sleying machines for traversing across wires spaced as in a reed used for weaving where wires of varying thickness and spaced at varying pitches are held in position by baulks or frames running along the ends of these wires and fixed to them.

In operaton preliminary to weaving requiring the insertion of threads in consecutive spaces between the reed wires, machines are used to make or help make the selection of these spaces so that a hook or knife can be inserted between adjacent wires and subsequently be withdrawn with the thread or threads attached. Such machines are in some cases limited in their use by their size, the need for guide rails or tracks on which they must be located or by the possibility that they may damage the reed wires in their action.

The application of the invention to be described relates to warp sleying machines for use on warps containing either synthetic or natural yarns, and which may be used at any convenient warp preparing frame away from the loom, or used in the loom with the minimum of auxiliary frame Work or supports.

The most economic and convenient use of such sleying machines depends firstly on the simplicity of their precise location relative to the reed, and the rigidity of such location. Secondly, the traverse of the sleying mechanism carrier must accommodate, without adjustment a wide range of increments of movement after each sleying cycle and possibly a variation due to deformation of the reed wires,.while this mechanism and the sleying knife must be constructed so as to avoid damage to the reed wires. Thirdly, the sleying mechanism must be adequately interlocked so as to prevent any possible damage to the. reed wires, its speed of progress must be entirely controlled by the speed of the operative and it must be of minimum weight and capable of working in a confined space and in either direction along the reed, with a minimum of adjustment.

The object of the present invention is to provide means whereby these considerations are met.

According to the invention the apparatus includes a carrier which obviates the need for a separate runway or track and having several Wheels, some covered with a compressible material to provide grip without damage, on the two baulks of the reed, some of these wheels being spring loaded to allow for variation in baulk thicknesses and irregularities, some supported on fixed axes and used as a means of propelling the carrier along the reed, and some used as steadying rollers.

A traverse control device incorporating a miniature photo-electric cell (e.g. phototransistor), which when its circuit is initiated by the operative putting threads onto the knife will cause the carrier to move exactly one pitch further along the reed regardless of the pitch of the spaces and wires in the reed and without physical contact with the reed and thus without damage to the reed.

A solenoid is provided in the circuit of the photoelectric cell which operates the carrier driving motor switch after operating the sley knife and from the same mechanism so that an adequate interlock is provided to avoid the eventuality of the carrier moving while the knife is engaged between two reed wires, and to ensure the re-entry of the knife in the appropriate space between two wires of the reed after the traversing motion is complete.

Means are provided so that the driving rollers can be de-clutched and the carrier easily removed from the reed, the carrier being easily movable in either direction. Means are also provided so that varying depths and widths of reed can be accommodated, and that the machine can operate to each extreme end of the reed.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, the same will now be described with reference to andby the aid of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 shows an end elevation of the knife of the carrier on a reed.

FIGURE 2 shows a front elevation as seen from the operating position with parts cut away to show the lamp and the knife in a space of the reed.

FIGURE 3 shows an end elevation of the solenoid end of the carrier with parts cut away to show the knife operating linkage.

FIGURE 4 shows a plan view with the lamp and lamp holder and top rollers removed.

FIGURE 5 shows a simple reed support several of which can support the reed at convenient points.

FIGURE 6 shows the electrical circuit of the power and control unit.

Referring to the drawings, the carrier is made up of a front unit 1 which is separated from the rear unit 2 by an interchangeable spacer plate 3, each of the units 1 and 2' providing fixed bearings for compressible driving rollers 4 and 5 and shaft 6 which is driven from the motor 7 through reduction gear 8 and spur gears 9 so that the carrier is traversed at a suitable speed.

.The front and rear units 1, 2 also provide bearing slots 10 (FIGURES 2 and 4) and disengaging ledge 11 for the top roller shaft 12 allowing the top rollers 13 to grip the reed baulk 14 between the top rollers 13 and driving rollers 4 and 5 by the pressure applied by springs 15 which also allow forany variation in reed baulk thickend mess.

The reed width adjuster 16 and the steadying rollers 17 are secured in the rear unit 2. I The traversing control device is housed in a separate box (not shown) and is connected to the carrier through plug 18which is inserted in one of two positions L, R,

(FIGURE 2) to suit the required direction of motion of the carrier. Photocells 19 are situated .one in each end piece 20 and a lamp 21 with its filament 22vertically above slot 23 (FIGURE 2) in each end piece 20 is situated above the reed wires 24 and housed in a lamp holder and cover 25 which is. attached to the front unit 1. One photocell and one lamp is shown in FIGURE 2. The slot in each end piece 20 through whichthe lamp illuminates the photocell also serves to guide the knife 26 so that the knife can only be introduced into the space through which the photocell 19 is illuminated.

The solenoid 29 (FIGURES 1, 3 and 4) is connected to the knife bar 30 by the links 31 and 32, and spring 35, FIGURE 4.

By lifting the knife to position 26a shown in dotted lines (FIGURE 1) so that cam 33 closes switch 34, the solenoid is energised and winds up spring 35 so that when the knife is released from position 26a spring 35 will turn the knife to position 26b shown in dotted lines (FIGURE 1) against the tension of return spring. 36 (FIGURE 3).

The traversing motor 7 is supplied with current only when the knife 26 is in position 26b clear of the reed wires and in such a position for cam 27 to operate switch 28 therefore ensuring that traversing is not possible until the knife is clear of the reed.

Electrically the machine isdivided into two sections, the

power andcontrol unit (not illustrated) and the carrier unit, as'shown in FIGURE 6.

Power is supplied at a safe low voltage via a transformer 47 and br'idge rectifier 48 from the single phase main supply. This is smoothed by capacitor 49 and stabilised by zener diodes 50 and resistor 51. Provision is also made for supplying lamp 21 from the transformer 47. 7 The control section consists of an electronic switch 42, of known type, for example a Schmitt trigger. arrangement, operating a relay 44 via an amplifier 43. Relay 40 is-included to maintain a power connection during the initial switch on and relay 41 to prevent accidental movement of the carrier unit initiating the cycle of .operation.

The control section may alternatively be housed in the carrier unit if so desired.

7, One complete cycle of sleying threads through one reed space and traversing one space further along the reed will now be described.

Having lifted the top roller shaft 12 into the disengaging'ledges 11 and depressed the knife 26 into'position 26b, the carrier can bethreaded onto the reed to a position where 'sleying is to be started and the top rollers releasedintothe slot10 and the knife released into the first reed space to be used. The reed width adjuster 16 can nowbe positioned to suitthe reed in use. The power is connected from the external control and power unit (FIG- URE 6) by inserting the plug 18 in the socket L or 'R appropriate to the direction'of'traverse required.

The threads 37 (FIGURE are engaged in the recess inthe knife 26 andtheir free shorter end'pulled upwards pulling the knife into position 26a, the knife arm 38-to which the knife is attached is restricted in its upward movement by adjustable stop 39 so as to avoid damage to the reed wires 24 and in itsmovement rotates knife bar 30 which moves cam 33 so that it closes switch 34.

Switch 34 will now supply power to relays 40 and 41 and when relay 40 locks on solenoid 29 is energized. When the solenoid 29-is energized the link 31 (FIGURE 3) is moved in the direction shown and through link 32 which is free to rotate on the knife bar 30 winds up the spring 3-5 and when the threads 37 are released the knife bar and the knife are turned to position 26b pulling the threads through the space in the reed-leaving the threads in position 37:; FIGURE 5 whichshows a reed mounted upon a support- 14a. Towards the latter part of the knifes downwardmovement cam 27'causes switch 28 to change over thus starting the motor 7.

As the carrier moves along the reed (in this case from left to right FIGUREA). the light will be obscured from electronic switch 42, causing relay 44 to operate via amplifier 43. Contacts 44a change over before contacts 40a and 41a open so that ultimately relay 41 remains energized and contacts 41;: are closed, relay 40 is de-energized and therefore contacts. 40a open. Power, for the solenoid 29 is supplied via contacts 44a and 41a.

vAs the carrier continues its. movement along the reed photocell 19 passes out of the shadow of the reed wire 24 and again is illuminated from lamp 21.- The current in the photocell 19 now increases, which results in a rapid opening of electronic switch 42, causing the relay 44 to return to the de-energised position. The contacts 44a return to their original position and since contacts 401: are now open power is disconnected from the solenoid 29. Return spring 36 now returns the solenoid to its original position and through the extension of link 32 and stop 45 (FIG- URE 4) the knife 36 is returned to its original position in a vertical direction but in the space between reed wires 24. In the early-part1 of the knifes upward movement switch 28 is operated by cam '27 disconnecting power from the motor armature'7a bringing the motor to a standstill before any part, of the knife 26 passes between the reed wires 24, and into a position to receive the threads .which are to be pulled through the space between reed wires 24. Extensions (not shown) at the ends of the reed baulks 14 will be provided so that the machine can operate over the entire reed length. Y

The photocell 19 is positioned near the reed baulk, and the knife pivot arranged so that the knife first enters the space between the reed wires, near the reed baulk, in order that deformed reed wires such as shown at 24a, FIGURE 4, will not cause faulty selection of a reed space.

We claim:

1. A warp sleying' machine comprising in combination a carrier having wheels for gripping the baulks of a reed, means for traversing the carrier along the reed comprising an electric motor, a traverse control device including a light source and a photo-electric cell, an electric circuit for said traversing means and control device, and a pivotally mounted knife for inserting threads between the reed wires, movement of said knife from between the reed wires actuating the traversing means to move the carriage through said circuit and said traverse control device deactuating the traversing means through said circuit to position the knife for re-entry between the reed wires. a

2. A warp sleying machine comprising in combination a carrier having wheels for gripping the baulks of a reed, means for traversing the carrier along the reed comprising an electric motor, a traverse control device including a light source and a photo-electric cell, an electriccircuit for said traversing means and control device, and a pivotally mounted knife for inserting threads between the reed wires, movement of said knife from between the reed wires actuating the traversing means to move the carriage through said circuit and said traverse control device deactuating the traversing means through said circuit to position'the knife for re-entry between the reed Wires, and meansfor preventing the traverse of the carrier while the knife is engaged between the reed wires comprising a solenoid in the circuit of the photo-electric cell.

3. A warp sleying machine comprising in combination a carrier having upper and lower pairs of wheels for gripping the baulks of a reed, means for traversing the carrier along the reed comprising an electric motor, a traverse control device including a light source and a photo-electric cell, an electric circuit for said traversing means and con from between the reed wires actuating the traversing means to move the carriage through said circuit and said traverse control device deactuating the traversing'means through said circuit to position the knife for re-entry between the-reed wires, means for preventing the traverse of the carrier while the knife is engaged between the reed wires comprising a solenoid in the circuit of the photoelectric cell, and means for de-clutching the upper pair of wheels whereby the carrier can be removed from the reed.

4. A warp sleying machine comprising in combination a carrier having wheels for gripping the baulks of a reed, means for traversingthe carrier along the reed compris ing an electric motor and reduction gearing, a traverse control device including a light source and a photot'ransistor, an electric circuit for said traversing means and control device, a pivotally mounted knife for inserting threads between the reed wires, a knife bar carrying said knife, spring loading means on said knife bar, cuts on said knife bar to actuate switches in the electric circuit,

saidswitches in the electric circuit operated by said cams No references cited. 

1. A WARP SLEYING MACHINE COMPRISING IN COMBINATION A CARRIER HAVING WHEELS FOR GRIPPING THE BAULKS OF A REED, MEANS FOR TRAVERSING THE CARRIER ALONG THE REED COMPRISING AN ELECTRIC MOTOR, A TRAVERSE CONTROL DEVICE INCLUDING A LIGHT SOURCE AND A PHOTO-ELECTRIC CELL, AN ELECTRIC CIRCUIT FOR SAID TRAVERSING MEANS AND CONTROL DEVICE, AND A PIVOTALLY MOUNTED KNIFE FOR INSERTING THREADS BETWEEN THE REED WIRES, MOVEMENT OF SAID KNIFE FROM BETWEEN THE REED WIRES ACTUATING THE TRAVERSING MEANS TO MOVE THE CARRIAGE THROUGH SAID CIRCUIT AND SAID TRAVERSE CONTROL DEVICE DEACTUATING THE TRAVERSING MEANS THROUGH SAID CIRCUIT TO POSITION THE KNIFE FOR RE-ENTRY BETWEEN THE REED WIRES. 